Bikers all revved up for parking victory

BIKERS have won a victory in the battle over parking spaces after staging a peaceful protest outside Asda Walmart.

At the end of their tether with cars parking in motorcycle bays at the north Swindon store, around 20 bikers turned up at the car park last Sunday and took up as many spaces as they could to turn the tables on inconsiderate drivers.

After conversations with Asda, bollards will now be installed to prevent cars using the designated spaces.

Vince Bowers, 42, of Swindon Bikers, said: “We get a lot of cars that park in the motorcycle bays, which is very annoying. If we park our bikes in the car parking spaces we soon get barked at by motorists.

“We were there for about two and a half hours before anybody from the store came out to talk to us. We had a couple of lads coming up and chatting to us, but no real problems. What we have heard now is they are going to get some bollards put in place so the cars cannot fit in there any more. It has worked out quite well.”

Vince said the reaction from shoppers had been mixed, but the bikers had gained a positive result.

“There was quite a bit of confusion because people did not really know what was going on,” he said. “Some who stopped and asked gave us quite a good response. One young lady did try to stage a protest to the protest by driving into the bays and knocking a couple of bikes over, but that got resolved quite quickly.

“It just proved the mentality of the motorists – we had two cars trying to park in there while we were there. A lot of it is laziness and arrogance on the part of a few motorists who cannot be bothered to walk a few extra metres.

“The manager did say that if we had just gone in and seen him we could have resolved it, but we wanted to prove a point. If there are cars parking there we can’t park elsewhere.”

Car drivers are given a taste of their own medicine

Nicky Howard, a new member of Swindon Bikers, called the protest.

“This problem has been going on for many months,” she said. “When I joined Swindon Bikers I noticed a lot of people were posting photos of cars parking in the motorcycle bays. It made me cross and I posted an invite for anyone to join me in a protest.

“We had an excellent response on the day. Most people do not know motorcycles cannot park on hard standing. They would sink into the tarmac and fall over, often causing holes in the car park.

“I am very pleased with the result because generally we have such a bad reputation, but this was quite a pleasant, cheerful protest.”

The duty manager at Asda Walmart said: “We always look to support anyone who comes into our stores and provide the right opportunities for them. We will be working to get this problem fixed.

“We will be putting in between five to eight bollards in the area once the construction engineer has visited the site. We want to make sure everyone feels welcome in our store.”

Comments

Typical bikers attitude, don't bother to approach the store and settle equitably, just be pig ignorant and cause hassle pretty much like they behave on the road.

Typical bikers attitude, don't bother to approach the store and settle equitably, just be pig ignorant and cause hassle pretty much like they behave on the road.birdieman

Typical bikers attitude, don't bother to approach the store and settle equitably, just be pig ignorant and cause hassle pretty much like they behave on the road.

Score: -30

Mushymushy
8:53am Fri 18 Apr 14

birdieman wrote…

Typical bikers attitude, don't bother to approach the store and settle equitably, just be pig ignorant and cause hassle pretty much like they behave on the road.

Typical birdieman talking rubbish

[quote][p][bold]birdieman[/bold] wrote:
Typical bikers attitude, don't bother to approach the store and settle equitably, just be pig ignorant and cause hassle pretty much like they behave on the road.[/p][/quote]Typical birdieman talking rubbishMushymushy

birdieman wrote…

Typical bikers attitude, don't bother to approach the store and settle equitably, just be pig ignorant and cause hassle pretty much like they behave on the road.

Typical birdieman talking rubbish

Score: 31

mikesgta
10:21am Fri 18 Apr 14

Yep typical bike rider attitude of we own the road and also the car parks now. Bet these are the same lot that swerve in front of your car at traffic lights as If they have to get in front of everyone and ride on the wrong side of the road with traffic having to move out of the way of them.

Yep typical bike rider attitude of we own the road and also the car parks now. Bet these are the same lot that swerve in front of your car at traffic lights as If they have to get in front of everyone and ride on the wrong side of the road with traffic having to move out of the way of them.mikesgta

Yep typical bike rider attitude of we own the road and also the car parks now. Bet these are the same lot that swerve in front of your car at traffic lights as If they have to get in front of everyone and ride on the wrong side of the road with traffic having to move out of the way of them.

Score: -26

faatmaan
10:49am Fri 18 Apr 14

will car parking spaces be left for cars

will car parking spaces be left for carsfaatmaan

will car parking spaces be left for cars

Score: -19

faatmaan
10:52am Fri 18 Apr 14

meant to add, many car drivers are just to flaming lazy and park in the closest spot to the store, young and old, if they can't read the signs, they obviously are incapable of reading other signs and so should not be on the roads.

meant to add, many car drivers are just to flaming lazy and park in the closest spot to the store, young and old, if they can't read the signs, they obviously are incapable of reading other signs and so should not be on the roads.faatmaan

meant to add, many car drivers are just to flaming lazy and park in the closest spot to the store, young and old, if they can't read the signs, they obviously are incapable of reading other signs and so should not be on the roads.

Score: 28

Robh
11:09am Fri 18 Apr 14

There has always been abuse of parking there. I asked 5 years ago for bollards and was told there was a health and safety issue. I've also asked for them to stop cars being parked in the mobility bus bay to no avail. Many of the people that abuse that area of the car park don't actually go in Asda they tend to use the Gym.

There has always been abuse of parking there. I asked 5 years ago for bollards and was told there was a health and safety issue. I've also asked for them to stop cars being parked in the mobility bus bay to no avail. Many of the people that abuse that area of the car park don't actually go in Asda they tend to use the Gym.Robh

There has always been abuse of parking there. I asked 5 years ago for bollards and was told there was a health and safety issue. I've also asked for them to stop cars being parked in the mobility bus bay to no avail. Many of the people that abuse that area of the car park don't actually go in Asda they tend to use the Gym.

Score: 23

Disco20
11:09am Fri 18 Apr 14

mikesgta wrote…

Yep typical bike rider attitude of we own the road and also the car parks now. Bet these are the same lot that swerve in front of your car at traffic lights as If they have to get in front of everyone and ride on the wrong side of the road with traffic having to move out of the way of them.

Oh dear.. someone doesn't know the rules of the road.
Bikes are permitted to filter and get to the front of traffic lights. They are also capable to over taking more quickly than cars.

Most car drivers are sensible and aware of what's around them. Others text, facebook and are oblivious to their surroundings as they are comfy in their boxes.

Don't worry, you also get stupid, reckless bikers, however, the percentage of idiot, lazy drivers, out weight the daft bikers on the road.

Stop being a c0ck and don't use designated bike parking

[quote][p][bold]mikesgta[/bold] wrote:
Yep typical bike rider attitude of we own the road and also the car parks now. Bet these are the same lot that swerve in front of your car at traffic lights as If they have to get in front of everyone and ride on the wrong side of the road with traffic having to move out of the way of them.[/p][/quote]Oh dear.. someone doesn't know the rules of the road.
Bikes are permitted to filter and get to the front of traffic lights. They are also capable to over taking more quickly than cars.
Most car drivers are sensible and aware of what's around them. Others text, facebook and are oblivious to their surroundings as they are comfy in their boxes.
Don't worry, you also get stupid, reckless bikers, however, the percentage of idiot, lazy drivers, out weight the daft bikers on the road.
Stop being a c0ck and don't use designated bike parkingDisco20

mikesgta wrote…

Yep typical bike rider attitude of we own the road and also the car parks now. Bet these are the same lot that swerve in front of your car at traffic lights as If they have to get in front of everyone and ride on the wrong side of the road with traffic having to move out of the way of them.

Oh dear.. someone doesn't know the rules of the road.
Bikes are permitted to filter and get to the front of traffic lights. They are also capable to over taking more quickly than cars.

Most car drivers are sensible and aware of what's around them. Others text, facebook and are oblivious to their surroundings as they are comfy in their boxes.

Don't worry, you also get stupid, reckless bikers, however, the percentage of idiot, lazy drivers, out weight the daft bikers on the road.

Stop being a c0ck and don't use designated bike parking

Score: 17

birdieman
12:35pm Fri 18 Apr 14

Yep...didn't think it would take long for the abusive 2 wheelers to take the bait and show their normal courtesy...vroom vroom....

Yep...didn't think it would take long for the abusive 2 wheelers to take the bait and show their normal courtesy...vroom vroom....birdieman

Yep...didn't think it would take long for the abusive 2 wheelers to take the bait and show their normal courtesy...vroom vroom....

Score: -15

mattyhaz3
1:06pm Fri 18 Apr 14

Al I have to say is this is correct about filtering and traffic lights bikes can, read the Highway Code people it's all in there. And not all of us bikers are **** don't for get most of us bikers drive cars too

Al I have to say is this is correct about filtering and traffic lights bikes can, read the Highway Code people it's all in there. And not all of us bikers are **** don't for get most of us bikers drive cars toomattyhaz3

Al I have to say is this is correct about filtering and traffic lights bikes can, read the Highway Code people it's all in there. And not all of us bikers are **** don't for get most of us bikers drive cars too

Score: 19

Disco20
1:17pm Fri 18 Apr 14

birdieman wrote…

Yep...didn't think it would take long for the abusive 2 wheelers to take the bait and show their normal courtesy...vroom vroom....

Who is being abusive?

Oh, you mean all the blind and ignorant motorists that I deal with every day on my commute to work?

Don't be silly my friend. Bikers do a lot for local communities and charities, but don't let that cloud your judgement ;)

[quote][p][bold]birdieman[/bold] wrote:
Yep...didn't think it would take long for the abusive 2 wheelers to take the bait and show their normal courtesy...vroom vroom....[/p][/quote]Who is being abusive?
Oh, you mean all the blind and ignorant motorists that I deal with every day on my commute to work?
Don't be silly my friend. Bikers do a lot for local communities and charities, but don't let that cloud your judgement ;)Disco20

birdieman wrote…

Yep...didn't think it would take long for the abusive 2 wheelers to take the bait and show their normal courtesy...vroom vroom....

Who is being abusive?

Oh, you mean all the blind and ignorant motorists that I deal with every day on my commute to work?

Don't be silly my friend. Bikers do a lot for local communities and charities, but don't let that cloud your judgement ;)

Score: 18

mikesgta
7:18pm Fri 18 Apr 14

Looks like that Disco fellow is one of them middle age born again bikers with a chip on his shoulder, Maybe he`s one of one of the ignorant ones that's cuts in front of the car driver to be first away from the lights. I am sure just as many bad riders on the road as there are in cars. Today I seen 2 bikes parked in car bays at Walmart but I didn't see loads of cars blockading the motor bake parking like the biker gangs.

Looks like that Disco fellow is one of them middle age born again bikers with a chip on his shoulder, Maybe he`s one of one of the ignorant ones that's cuts in front of the car driver to be first away from the lights. I am sure just as many bad riders on the road as there are in cars. Today I seen 2 bikes parked in car bays at Walmart but I didn't see loads of cars blockading the motor bake parking like the biker gangs.mikesgta

Looks like that Disco fellow is one of them middle age born again bikers with a chip on his shoulder, Maybe he`s one of one of the ignorant ones that's cuts in front of the car driver to be first away from the lights. I am sure just as many bad riders on the road as there are in cars. Today I seen 2 bikes parked in car bays at Walmart but I didn't see loads of cars blockading the motor bake parking like the biker gangs.

Score: -10

Disco20
8:22pm Fri 18 Apr 14

Haha, mikegta, I guess you are one of those fat nerdy sods on his Xbox all day?

Haha, mikegta, I guess you are one of those fat nerdy sods on his Xbox all day?Disco20

Haha, mikegta, I guess you are one of those fat nerdy sods on his Xbox all day?

Score: 3

Davey Gravey
8:34pm Fri 18 Apr 14

Many bikers are selfish and think they can speed and weave in and out of traffic as they wish. That is a different issue though to the morons who park cars wherever they want to.

Many bikers are selfish and think they can speed and weave in and out of traffic as they wish. That is a different issue though to the morons who park cars wherever they want to.Davey Gravey

Many bikers are selfish and think they can speed and weave in and out of traffic as they wish. That is a different issue though to the morons who park cars wherever they want to.

Score: -4

Hmmmf
9:02pm Fri 18 Apr 14

Disco20 wrote…

Don't be silly my friend. Bikers do a lot for local communities and charities, but don't let that cloud your judgement ;)[/quote]
So do motorists, bus drivers, truckers, cyclists, pedestrians, equestrians, and clowns on unicycles. What's your point, exactly?
The bikers in this article deliberately and spitefully set out to disenfranchise and annoy drivers visiting this supermarket. This doesn't make them some kind of folk heroes. If anything their deliberately childish behaviour is actually worse than the ignorant and inconsiderate drivers they're protesting about. Surprised the two in the photo weren't poking their tongues out and going 'neener neener'.

[quote][p][bold]Disco20[/bold] wrote:
Don't be silly my friend. Bikers do a lot for local communities and charities, but don't let that cloud your judgement ;)[/quote]
So do motorists, bus drivers, truckers, cyclists, pedestrians, equestrians, and clowns on unicycles. What's your point, exactly?
The bikers in this article deliberately and spitefully set out to disenfranchise and annoy drivers visiting this supermarket. This doesn't make them some kind of folk heroes. If anything their deliberately childish behaviour is actually worse than the ignorant and inconsiderate drivers they're protesting about. Surprised the two in the photo weren't poking their tongues out and going 'neener neener'.Hmmmf

Disco20 wrote…

Don't be silly my friend. Bikers do a lot for local communities and charities, but don't let that cloud your judgement ;)[/quote]
So do motorists, bus drivers, truckers, cyclists, pedestrians, equestrians, and clowns on unicycles. What's your point, exactly?
The bikers in this article deliberately and spitefully set out to disenfranchise and annoy drivers visiting this supermarket. This doesn't make them some kind of folk heroes. If anything their deliberately childish behaviour is actually worse than the ignorant and inconsiderate drivers they're protesting about. Surprised the two in the photo weren't poking their tongues out and going 'neener neener'.

Score: 0

Oik1
9:31pm Fri 18 Apr 14

Good on the bikers!
Even on here theres some pig ignorant comments on how a bike should be ridden, perhaps some of those making anti bike comment should go out with a police motorcycle rider and be enlightened or they could always try the IAM again they could learn quite a bit.

Good on the bikers!
Even on here theres some pig ignorant comments on how a bike should be ridden, perhaps some of those making anti bike comment should go out with a police motorcycle rider and be enlightened or they could always try the IAM again they could learn quite a bit.Oik1

Good on the bikers!
Even on here theres some pig ignorant comments on how a bike should be ridden, perhaps some of those making anti bike comment should go out with a police motorcycle rider and be enlightened or they could always try the IAM again they could learn quite a bit.

Score: 3

Blackwell 2
9:34pm Fri 18 Apr 14

If they were proper biking enthusiasts they wouldn't have been anywhere near Walmart (or Swindon) on a splendid biking day like today.
However filtering through traffic is perfectly legal (almost essential with an air cooled engine)
Many car drivers actually help us through.
The standing start on an average motorbike is also much better than most cars.
The rest is just tit for tat, car vs bike childishness

If they were proper biking enthusiasts they wouldn't have been anywhere near Walmart (or Swindon) on a splendid biking day like today.
However filtering through traffic is perfectly legal (almost essential with an air cooled engine)
Many car drivers actually help us through.
The standing start on an average motorbike is also much better than most cars.
The rest is just tit for tat, car vs bike childishnessBlackwell 2

If they were proper biking enthusiasts they wouldn't have been anywhere near Walmart (or Swindon) on a splendid biking day like today.
However filtering through traffic is perfectly legal (almost essential with an air cooled engine)
Many car drivers actually help us through.
The standing start on an average motorbike is also much better than most cars.
The rest is just tit for tat, car vs bike childishness

Score: 5

faatmaan
11:18am Sat 19 Apr 14

have you ever overtaken a motorcycle on the open road, highly unlikely, but it seems they are legally allowed to execute highly illegal manouvers with little or no redress, plus if there is no place at the front of a traffic queue they just occupy the areas where traffic should not be parked, its a no win argument, each group of road users will say they in the right, but as the police have wildly insufficient resources to enforce dangerous driving practices its basically anarchy on he roads

have you ever overtaken a motorcycle on the open road, highly unlikely, but it seems they are legally allowed to execute highly illegal manouvers with little or no redress, plus if there is no place at the front of a traffic queue they just occupy the areas where traffic should not be parked, its a no win argument, each group of road users will say they in the right, but as the police have wildly insufficient resources to enforce dangerous driving practices its basically anarchy on he roadsfaatmaan

have you ever overtaken a motorcycle on the open road, highly unlikely, but it seems they are legally allowed to execute highly illegal manouvers with little or no redress, plus if there is no place at the front of a traffic queue they just occupy the areas where traffic should not be parked, its a no win argument, each group of road users will say they in the right, but as the police have wildly insufficient resources to enforce dangerous driving practices its basically anarchy on he roads

Score: 0

greenpacer
3:15pm Sun 20 Apr 14

I live next door to a lazy parker. He has even blocked my drive when I wanted to get out., " I'm on crutches he screamed at me" . But he was'nt planning on getting out of his car straight away as he was playing around with an in car entertainment system with a mate ! And he was quite capable at walking a few feet to his door. So why block my drive ? Lazyness - that word again and inconsiderate too !! All those drivers who need to check on the parking knowledge get yourself a copy of the current highway code. This is what I see in Toothill. Parking on verges, pavements,on bends,on corners and on T junctions. One of which is part blocked by a lorry now !

I live next door to a lazy parker. He has even blocked my drive when I wanted to get out., " I'm on crutches he screamed at me" . But he was'nt planning on getting out of his car straight away as he was playing around with an in car entertainment system with a mate ! And he was quite capable at walking a few feet to his door. So why block my drive ? Lazyness - that word again and inconsiderate too !! All those drivers who need to check on the parking knowledge get yourself a copy of the current highway code. This is what I see in Toothill. Parking on verges, pavements,on bends,on corners and on T junctions. One of which is part blocked by a lorry now !greenpacer

I live next door to a lazy parker. He has even blocked my drive when I wanted to get out., " I'm on crutches he screamed at me" . But he was'nt planning on getting out of his car straight away as he was playing around with an in car entertainment system with a mate ! And he was quite capable at walking a few feet to his door. So why block my drive ? Lazyness - that word again and inconsiderate too !! All those drivers who need to check on the parking knowledge get yourself a copy of the current highway code. This is what I see in Toothill. Parking on verges, pavements,on bends,on corners and on T junctions. One of which is part blocked by a lorry now !

Score: 4

mikesgta
8:19am Mon 21 Apr 14

mattyhaz3 wrote…

Al I have to say is this is correct about filtering and traffic lights bikes can, read the Highway Code people it's all in there. And not all of us bikers are **** don't for get most of us bikers drive cars too

If you check the highway code it says things like this
DO NOT overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users. For example
##where traffic is queuing at junctions or road works

no where can I see in the highway code where it say while pulling up to a road junction its fine to swerve in front of cars causing them preform an emergency stop and now rev your bike as if your taking part in moto gp. Maybe some bikers have a special highway code book that reads different to everyone else.
Parking in motorcycle spaces is just inconsiderate and stupid that's a fact but maybe them car drivers thought they where still riding the bike they have sat at home that they ride in the same manner :)

[quote][p][bold]mattyhaz3[/bold] wrote:
Al I have to say is this is correct about filtering and traffic lights bikes can, read the Highway Code people it's all in there. And not all of us bikers are **** don't for get most of us bikers drive cars too[/p][/quote]If you check the highway code it says things like this
DO NOT overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users. For example
##where traffic is queuing at junctions or road works
no where can I see in the highway code where it say while pulling up to a road junction its fine to swerve in front of cars causing them preform an emergency stop and now rev your bike as if your taking part in moto gp. Maybe some bikers have a special highway code book that reads different to everyone else.
Parking in motorcycle spaces is just inconsiderate and stupid that's a fact but maybe them car drivers thought they where still riding the bike they have sat at home that they ride in the same manner :)mikesgta

mattyhaz3 wrote…

Al I have to say is this is correct about filtering and traffic lights bikes can, read the Highway Code people it's all in there. And not all of us bikers are **** don't for get most of us bikers drive cars too

If you check the highway code it says things like this
DO NOT overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users. For example
##where traffic is queuing at junctions or road works

no where can I see in the highway code where it say while pulling up to a road junction its fine to swerve in front of cars causing them preform an emergency stop and now rev your bike as if your taking part in moto gp. Maybe some bikers have a special highway code book that reads different to everyone else.
Parking in motorcycle spaces is just inconsiderate and stupid that's a fact but maybe them car drivers thought they where still riding the bike they have sat at home that they ride in the same manner :)

Score: 1

rugbyplayer1234
9:51am Mon 21 Apr 14

Ok so the bikers are happy .... what about people that park in parent and child spaces that don't have children ? I can't see bollards helping out with that !

Ok so the bikers are happy .... what about people that park in parent and child spaces that don't have children ? I can't see bollards helping out with that !rugbyplayer1234

Ok so the bikers are happy .... what about people that park in parent and child spaces that don't have children ? I can't see bollards helping out with that !

Score: 0

Darkelf26
2:55pm Thu 24 Apr 14

As a Biker and a parent of young children, I agree that a small minority of car drivers who are too lazy to walk a few extra feet park incorrectly in bays marked for other users including disabled driver bays. I drive with consideration for other users pulling over to give the faster more manouverable bikes more room, same as I would pull over to allow a faster travelling car to pass. yes I filter through traffic but i never do it where it would force the other vehicle to brake or swerve to avoid me. At no point does this infringe upon the law. Saying that there are a small percentage of riders who do just like a small percentage of car drivers try and block bikers. I've seen posts on here saying about bikes parked in car bays and cars not blocking in the bike slots, however i have see disabled cars and people carriers blocking normal car users slots or non disbled or non parent cars into slots they shouldn't be in. remeber also that in the space of 2 car slots you can get 6 bikes, so this demenstartion just showed what would happen if a bike parked in a normal slot, 6 bikes 6 car slots or 6 bikes in 6 bike slots equalling 2 car slots. make your descision on this not on peoples personal opinions. And complaints had been made to the management bu bikers over the last couple of years but nothing was done so this wasnt a "vroom vroom " reaction but one based on no results of following normal channels.

As a Biker and a parent of young children, I agree that a small minority of car drivers who are too lazy to walk a few extra feet park incorrectly in bays marked for other users including disabled driver bays. I drive with consideration for other users pulling over to give the faster more manouverable bikes more room, same as I would pull over to allow a faster travelling car to pass. yes I filter through traffic but i never do it where it would force the other vehicle to brake or swerve to avoid me. At no point does this infringe upon the law. Saying that there are a small percentage of riders who do just like a small percentage of car drivers try and block bikers. I've seen posts on here saying about bikes parked in car bays and cars not blocking in the bike slots, however i have see disabled cars and people carriers blocking normal car users slots or non disbled or non parent cars into slots they shouldn't be in. remeber also that in the space of 2 car slots you can get 6 bikes, so this demenstartion just showed what would happen if a bike parked in a normal slot, 6 bikes 6 car slots or 6 bikes in 6 bike slots equalling 2 car slots. make your descision on this not on peoples personal opinions. And complaints had been made to the management bu bikers over the last couple of years but nothing was done so this wasnt a "vroom vroom " reaction but one based on no results of following normal channels.Darkelf26

As a Biker and a parent of young children, I agree that a small minority of car drivers who are too lazy to walk a few extra feet park incorrectly in bays marked for other users including disabled driver bays. I drive with consideration for other users pulling over to give the faster more manouverable bikes more room, same as I would pull over to allow a faster travelling car to pass. yes I filter through traffic but i never do it where it would force the other vehicle to brake or swerve to avoid me. At no point does this infringe upon the law. Saying that there are a small percentage of riders who do just like a small percentage of car drivers try and block bikers. I've seen posts on here saying about bikes parked in car bays and cars not blocking in the bike slots, however i have see disabled cars and people carriers blocking normal car users slots or non disbled or non parent cars into slots they shouldn't be in. remeber also that in the space of 2 car slots you can get 6 bikes, so this demenstartion just showed what would happen if a bike parked in a normal slot, 6 bikes 6 car slots or 6 bikes in 6 bike slots equalling 2 car slots. make your descision on this not on peoples personal opinions. And complaints had been made to the management bu bikers over the last couple of years but nothing was done so this wasnt a "vroom vroom " reaction but one based on no results of following normal channels.

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